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Cholesterol is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Cholesterol can be good or bad for us. Since our body produces most of our cholesterol, it can’t all be bad. The rest of the cholesterol in us comes in the form of food consumption.

Heart disease, heart attacks and strokes are often associated with cholesterol; however, there is good and bad cholesterol. If the levels aren’t within the norms, the above results often happen.

A waxy, soft substance that is located in the bloodstream and in cells is a basic description of cholesterol. The occurrence of cholesterol is completely normal. Cholesterol is used in the manufacturing of certain hormones and cell membranes. If too much cholesterol is present it presents major risks.

As stated previously, cholesterol is produced by your body and consumed through food. 25% of the cholesterol in your body comes from the food you eat. The rest of it is produced by your liver and other cells.

The cholesterol that increases your risk of heart attack or stroke is known as LDL. This cholesterol has a tendency to clog arteries when there is too much of it.

The bad cholesterol is manufactured by your body. There is a chance of inheriting genes that cause your body to produce much LDL. If you eat foods that contain saturated fats, or trans fats, your cholesterol level will increase. Having a family history of high cholesterol may not help to keep the levels low enough even if you make changes to your lifestyle.

Your blood requires lipoproteins to carry cholesterol to and from cells because it cannot be absorbed by the blood. Lipoproteins fall into two categories. The first is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL the bad cholesterol. The second, known as high-density lipoprotein, or HDL is good for you. These proteins along with cholesterol and triglycerides are what your cholesterol count is made of.

Arteries start to clog up if LDL levels are high. The combination of high LDL levels combining with other material results in plaque build up in the arteries. Plaque hardens the arteries.

There are those that believe that HDL actually stops you from experiencing heart attacks. Unlike LDL, if HDL falls to low, your become at high risk for a heart attack.

There are some common misunderstandings about cholesterol.

Some believe that exercise and diet are what control cholesterol levels. These two do affect the good cholesterol in your body; however, the bad cholesterol levels are controlled by your liver and intestines.

Using margarine instead of butter is not going to lower cholesterol. Both of these are high in certain kinds of fat. Since trans and saturated fats determine what your cholesterol levels are do not over use food high in these fats. Just changing to margarine is not going to help.

Regardless of your weight or size, anyone can have high cholesterol.

If you feel that you need your cholesterol checked, talk to your doctor. They may not suggest it right away but your health is in your hands. Ask to be tested.

Most food that is low in cholesterol is more than likely going to be high in fat. Read the food labels before buying it.

Taking medicine for high cholesterol without watching what you eat is not enough either.

Most food, like eggs, are good for you. Keep track of cholesterol consumed by all foods during the day.

High cholesterol is not just a mans problem. Estrogen that is taken during menopause can actually increase your cholesterol levels. These levels increase naturally with age as well.

It is wise to start having the levels tested starting in your 20’s. Middle age is not the time to all of a sudden start worrying about it.

Would you like to learn more about cholesterol diet tips? Read other article at low cholesterol diet

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